Tube spinning assembly



Dec. 20, 1960 a. w. ALLMAN ET AL 2,964,788

' TUBE SPINNING ASSEMBLY Filed June 20, 1958 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS iGRADY W. ALLMAN CARROLL w. CROMWELL JR.

GEORGE H. PROSSER BY 6M; a

AT OR Y Dec. 20, 1960 G. w. ALLMAN ETAL 2,964,783

' TUBE SPINNING ASSEMBLY Filed June 20, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 INVENTORS i GRADY w. ALLMAN CARROLL w CROMWELL. JR;

GEORGE H. PROSSER BY a) TT BNEY United States Patent 2,964,788 TUBE SPINNING ASSEMBLY Grady W. Allman, Candler, Carroll W. Cromwell, Jr., Asheville, and George H. Prosser, West Asheville, N.C., assignors to American Enka Corporation, Enka, N.C., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 20, 1958, Ser. No. 743,453

3 Claims. (Cl. 188) This invention relates in general to the tube-spinning of artificial yarn and more particularly to an improved assembly for quick-detachably securing one end of a spinning tube and a spinneret in predetermined spaced relationship.

It is known that the spinning speed of artificial yarn can be increased substantially if the yarn-producing solution is extruded through a spinneret into a confined treating zone or spinning tube. One suitable tube-spinning system is shown and described in copending application Serial No. 645,761, filed March 13, 1957, and owned in common with the present application. In view of the improved results obtained by the use thereof, spinning tubes of this and related types are becoming conventional in the production of high tenacity yarn.

One of the problems incident to the use of spinning tubes is the control of spinning bath or coagulating liquid flowing into the entrance of and through the tube, and the effect of turbulence thereby created on the freshlyextruded filaments. United States Patent No. 2,834,046, issued May 13, 1958 to Frans Hesselink, and also owned in common with this application, discloses a basic concept found to 'be quite satisfactory in overcoming this problem. That patent teaches the provision of a substantially obstruction-free annular zone extending radially outward from and parallel to the face of a spinneret, through which zone a spinning bath of coagulating liquid flows radially inwardly across the face of the spinneret to the center thereof, and then abruptly changes direction and flows away from the spinneret face axially of a spinning tube positioned immediately adjacent thereto.

By the use of the aforesaid annular zone, it was found that the rate of coagulation could be greatly accelerated, that a high mechanical strength of freshly spun yarn could be quickly achieved, that overall spinning speeds could be increased even further, that less filament breakage occurred, and that other spinning conditions in general 'were greatly improved. A disadvantage to the structure there disclosed, however, is that no means is provided for quickly and accurately positioning the entrance end of the spinning tube with respect to the spinneret face or for disassembling the unit. Accordingly, a great deal of time is consumed in properly aligning the tube and spinneret during spinning-in, and in disassembling that structure for maintenance or replacement purposes. The problem is magnified, of course, when considered in connection with the large number of spinning positions on any given spinning machine.

The instant device is an improvement over the Hesselink asembly disclosed in said US. Patent No. 2,834,046, in that the tube and spinneret may be readily detached one from the other without disturbing the, spaced relationship which must be maintained during spinning.

An important object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a spinning tube-spinneret securing means not having the disadvantages of known devices.

Another object of this invention is 'to provide a quick 2,964,788 Patented Dec. 20, 1960 '2 detachable tube-spinning assembly which will accurately position the entrance end of a sp nning tube with respect 'to'theface of a spinneret.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a quick-release latch mechanism operating to lock a spinning tube and spinneret securely in position, but which may be easily unlatch ed without the necessity of tools or'other equipment.

A further object of this invention is to provide a quickdetachable assembly for accurately positioning the entrance end of a spinning tube with respect to the face of a spinneret, and having means thereon defining a substantially obstruction-free annular zone extending radially outwardly from and parallel to the face of the spinneret.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a quick-releasable assembly for accurately positioning one end of a spinning tube with the face of a spinneret which is self-supporting and requires no special adaptation of a spinning trough for its use.

The device according to the present invention consists briefly of a two piece holder, the second or cover portion of which is pivotally supported by the first or base portion. With the exception of the pivot means and a supporting leg 'on the base portion, these two pieces are indentical in construction. Each has a flat or planar surface within which is formed one cavity for receiving and securing the entrance end of a spinning tube and another cavity for receiving and securing a spinneret and accompanying housing, these two cavities being separated by an annular zone such as described in the aforementioned 'Hesselink patent. The .flat face of the cover portion normally engages the .flat face of the base portion, the plane of engagement coinciding with the axis of extrusion. The pivotal axis of the second portion extends normal to and is disposed laterally of the tubespinneret or extrusion axis.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a study of the following detailed description offa preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein v Figure 1 is a perspective view of the assembly omitting the spinning tube and spinneret, with the cover portion pivoted to the inoperative or unlatched position;

Figure 2 is an elevational view partly in section, showing the tube and spinneret mounted in operative position; and

.Figure 3 is: a top plan view of they base portion only.

The assembly 10 shown as the preferred embodiment, consisting of base portion 1-1a and cover portion 11b, is particularly adapted for substantially ho izo a p n Aocordingly, the base portion 110 is provided with a supporting leg or sub-frame 12 attached to the lower side thereof and adapted to rest on the bottom of a spinning trough (not shown). This leg may be formed integral with the base portion, or may be formed separately and secured thereto in any desired manner. The latter method of construction is preferred, however, since it is more. economical to cast or otherwise form two identical portions 11a,'11b making, up the assembly, and to add the. necessary supporting structure peculiar to each section subsequently. v

For purposes of discussion, each portion 11a, 11b may be divided into front and rear sections. For example, first or base portion 11a has a front section 1311 and a rear section 14a, whereas the second or cover portion -11b may be divided into front section 13b and rear section 14b. It should be noted that corresponding parts of j 23 extending thereacross. radially about the longitudinal axis of spinneret 20 and stituting the tube spinning assembly.

.face of spinneret 20 is accurately positioned by the flanges 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b, it can be seen that the critical ...spacing requirements discussed in said U.S. Patent No. 2,834,046 may be attained without sacrificing ease of Lassembly and disassembly. l

i 'A tubular bracket 28 extends forward of the tube spinning assembly. This bracket is supported by base earlier, the two portions 11a and 11b are identical insofar as concerns internal construction. One forms the mirror image of the other when inverted thereover in the manner shown.

In the rear or spinneret section 14a of base portion 11a, first and second semi-annular grooves 15a, 16a, respectively, are defined by rear flange 17a and forward flange 18a. These grooves intersect the plane face of the base portion and together form a cradle or cavity that supports the lower half of spinneret 20 which, as shown, is contained within spinneret housing 21. The flanges 17a, 18a positively position the face of said spinneret with respect to the base portion 11a. The rear section 14b of cover portion 11b is provided with first and second semi-annular grooves 15b, 16b, respectively, which also intersect the flat face of this portion, and which correspond in size to grooves 15a, 16a. Flanges 17b and 18b define these grooves and cooperate with flanges 17a, 18a in the positioning of spinneret 20. The spinneret and spinneret housing are completely and securely enclosed when the cover portion 11b is placed over base portion 11a.

The rear section 14a, 14b of tube spinning assembly 10 are separated from corresponding forward sections 13a, 13b by an annular opening or zone 22 which, as shown in Figure 2, extends outwardly away from and parallel to the face of spinneret 20. This zone is substantially free of obstruction, having only narrow bridges These bridges are spaced interconnect the front and rear sections. Three bridges eachfor the base and cover portions has been found to be ample, although a different number could be provided if desired. These bridges should close off a minute portion only of the annular zone 22 so as not to obstruct or otherwise interfere with the radially inward flow of coagulating liquid contained in the spinning trough.

' The aforesaid annular zone, of course, is defined by the rear .faces of front sections 13a, 13b, and the front faces of rear sections 14a, 14b. The rear faces of front sections 13a, 13b are curved inwardly as shown at 24a, 24b, respectively, so as to providea smooth transition area within which radial flow of coagulating liquid may be converted to axial fiow through spinning tube 25. It may be desired, when spinning certain types of yarn, to

" utilize sharp corners rather than the curved portions shown. This particular construction per se forms no part of this invention and the advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed in the aforesaid Hesselink patent. Irrespective of the corner structure, however, it

.is important that the internal portion thereof terminate in semi-annular lips 26a, 26b as shown, which lips project radially inwardly on semi-cylindrical openings 27a, 27b

provided for said spinning tube 25. It can be seen from v an inspection of Figure 2 that lips 26a, 26b together constitute an annular ring functioning as a stop to limit .Erearward movement of tube 25 and also to accurately position the same with respect to the two pieces con- Inasmuch as the portion 11a and may be formed integral. with or subsequently attached thereto, as explained earlier. The

. cylindrical opening extending longitudinally of bracket 28 is substantially the same dimension as the tube 25 and is coaxially aligned with the spinning axis. It will be seen, therefore, that bracket 28 and the openings in front sections 13a, 13b of the spinning assembly support the entrance end of spinning tube 25. Extending laterally from the forward end of bracket 28 are trunnions 30, 30 (only one of which appears in Figure 2). These trunnions are designed to support the cover portion 11b for pivotal movement with respect to the base portion 11a. The pivotal axis afforded by these trunnions is below the longitudinal axis of tube 25, which lies in a plane (horizontal as shown in Figure 2) intersecting the base and cover portions. By the use of such an offset pivotal axis, the cover portion is urged by gravity into engagement with the base portion whether spinning be along a horizontal or vertical axis. Accordingly, the assembly shown may be utilized for either vertical or horizontal spinning without modification, except for relocation of supporting leg 12.

Supporting arms 31, 31, extend forward of front section 13b on cover portion 11b. These arms also may be formed integral with or subsequently attached to this section. An open-sided eyelet 32 depends from each arm 31, the eyelets being designed to overlie and be supported by respective trunnions 30, 30. The trunnions are flattened, as shown, to correspond in thickness to the width of the opening in eyelets 32 in order to permit installation. It will be apparent from this description that the cover portion l lb must be positioned, initially, at right angles to base portion 11a in order for eyelets 32 to be mounted upon trunnions 30, 30.

Tubular bracket 28 is suitably notched to provide an inclined surface 33 for a purpose to be presently described. Attached to a vane 34 on cover portion 11b is forked lever 35. The upper end of this lever divides so as to straddle vane 34. Pinion 36 is provided for pivotally securing lever 35 to this half of the tube spinning assembly. The lower edge 37 of lever 35 is suitably shaped to fit snugly against the inclined surface 33 of bracket 28. With lever 35 in latching position, it can be seen that the same prevents movement of cover portion 11b about the pivotal axis of trunnions 30, 30. This lever, therefore, assists the effect of gravity and positively locks the cover portion to the base portion. It

also prevents accidental or unintentional opening of the through spinning tube 25 for subsequent withdrawal from the spinning trough. Coagulating bath contained within the trough passes radially inward from the periphery of annular zone 22 to and across the face of the spinneret, where the direction of bath travel is abruptly changed and the same also passes out through tube 25, gently carrying the freshly-extruded filaments therealong.

If it is desired to replace or clean the spinneret, lever 35 is raised to an unlatched position which permits clockwise rotation of cover portion 11b from the Figure 2 position to the open position shown in Figure l. The spinneret housing 21 then may be lifted out of the cradle provided therefor. In order to remove spinning tu it is necessary only to slide the same forward until the entrance end thereof clears the supporting bracket 28. Installation is accomplished by movement in the opposite direction until the entrance end engages the annular ring composed of lips 24a, 24b.

The tube spinning assembly described hereinabove may be formed from any material which will withstand prolonged exposure to the chemicals normally contained within a coagulating bath. It could be formed from rubber or Bakelite, for example. It is preferred, however, that the assembly be cast from lead and that the two portions 11a, 11b be cast in the same or similar molds, after which the leg 12, bracket 23, arms 31, etc., would e burned into position on the corresponding p es,

Very little has been said about the outlet or discharge end of spinning tube 25. This tube may project into a chimney such as described in said copending application Serial No. 645,761, or into a second spinning trough. On the other hand, it may be desired to terminate the tube within the same spinning trough which supports the assembly 10. Furthermore, supporting leg 12 may extend alongside spinning tube 25 and serve as a support therefor, if such is desired, and leg 12 may also support a suitable guide roller if change in direction of the yarn is required. In the event this assembly is used for vertical spinning, leg 12 of course should project rearwardly and upwardly from the Figure 2 position in order to lie behind the spinneret housing.

While a specific embodiment has been disclosed and described, it is intended that the scope of this invention be limited only to the extent set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A tube spinning assembly comprising a base portion having a planar face, a cover portion also having a planar face, means pivotally attaching said cover portion to said base portion with said faces in contact one with the other, a spinneret, means defining semi-annular grooves on said base and cover portions which form a cradle for receiving and releasably securing said spinneret with respect thereto, a spinning tube, means defining additional semi-annular grooves on said base and cover portions which form a cradle for receiving and releasably securing one end of said spinning tube with respect thereto and in alignment with said spinneret, means on said base and cover projecting radially inwardly of said additional semi-annular grooves for limiting movement of said spinning tube toward said spinneret, means on said base and cover portions defining an annular zone extending outwardly from the face of said spinneret and normal to said planar faces, and means on said base portion for supporting the assembly during spinning.

2. In a tube spinning machine having a spinneret and a spinning tube disposed in axially aligned relationship, the improvement including a two piece assembly for quick releasably positioning and securing said spinning tube with respect to said spinneret, said assembly comprising a base portion, means on said base portion for supporting the same during spinning, means defining axially spaced semi-annular grooves on said base portion which form cavities for receiving and releasably securing said spinneret and said spinning tube, a cover portion, means on said base portion for pivotally supporting said cover portion,

means defining axially spaced semi-annular grooves on said cover portion which also form cavities for receiving and releasably securing said spinneret and spinning tube, the cavities on said base and cover portions cooperating to enclose and support said spinneret and one end of said spinning tube, means on said base and cover projecting radially inwardly of said spinning tube cavities for limiting movement of the same toward said spinneret, and means on said base and cover portions defining an annular opening extending outwardly from and parallel to the face of said spinneret between said spinneret and spinning tube receiving cavities.

3. An assembly comprising a base, a cover pivotally attached to said base, latch means for quick releasably locking said cover in engagement with said base, a spinning tube, means on said base and cover cooperating to define a first annular groove for receiving and releasably securing one end of said spinning tube, means on said base and cover cooperating to define an annular lip adjacent said first annular groove for limiting movement of said spinning tube therein, a spinneret, means on said base and cover cooperating to define a second annular groove for receiving and releasably securing said spinneret in alignment with said spinning tube and in axially spaced relationship with respect thereto, means defining an annular opening between the face of said spinneret and said one end of said spinning tube, and leg means on said base for supporting said assembly as well as the spinning tube and spinneret secured therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,604,662 Royle Oct. 26, 1926 2,416,291 Detwiler et al. Feb. 25, 1947 2,834,046 Hessclink May 13, 1958 

